Ballard Power Declines;
Buyout Bid Lifts Zevex

By

Anjali Cordeiro

Updated Jan. 17, 2007 12:01 a.m. ET

Small stocks fell ahead of important earnings and inflation data expected later in the week.

Shares of alternative-energy companies -- which offer technology in areas such as hydrogen power -- were weak as crude-oil prices continued to decline sharply. Among small stocks, Hydrogenics fell seven cents, or 5.8%, to $1.13; Ballard Power Systems slid 16 cents, or 2.8%, to 5.59.